I love reading books, talking about books and sharing children's and young adult books with anyone who is willing to listen and chat. I have been a kindergarten teacher, a primary teacher, a teacher-librarian, a book reviewer and a workshop presenter for more than 30 years and have an endless, abiding passion for getting great books into the hands of children, young adults, teachers and parents. I hope you find something here that you will love; and then you can pass it on to someone you love!

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Monday, January 21, 2013

""You're driving me crazy, silly cattle dog. You're supposed to herd cows. Not chairs, not rugs. You need a cow."
"What's a cow?" asked Dog.
"I don't know," replied Bird. "But a cow is not in the city. A cow must be out there in the country. Go! Find a cow NOW!"

The endearing Australian cattle dog who is the main character in this new tale has had it with napping. He is restless: needing to chase, and move, and herd. Bird can't stand it!

Bird knows exactly what Dog needs...and he's not going to find it in the house, or even in the city. So, Bird sends him off to do what he is meant to do...find a cow to herd. Dog takes Bird's advice. As he makes his way out of the city, nobody seems to notice. Soon, he is in the country, right where Bird advised. It takes no time at all for readers to realize that Dog has no idea what a Cow is. His adventures in herding provide lots of laughs for those sharing his story.

His first victim is a chicken, who indignantly lets him know how silly he is. She sends him off to find a COW! A pig won't do either. After a bit of a muddy meeting, he sets his sights on a donkey who gives him the boots...literally! When a lumbering brown and white sympathetic animal offers aid, Dog is only too happy to take advantage of its hospitality. Climbing aboard the broad back, both are soon in the city where no one seems to notice them. Suddenly, it becomes appallingly apparent that this vision is not seen often and mayhem erupts forcing the two out of the city environs, and back to the quiet of the country. Once there and safe, Dog makes a lovely discovery.

Back at home, Bird is full of questions about Dog's adventure. Dog, however, needs a nap!

Children will be in on the joke and delight in the images that the Stevens sisters create using acrylic paints, pencil and collage. They fill their pages with expressive characters, considerable movement, sepia washed city scenes and the sunny serenity of the country.

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About Me

I am a retired teacher and teacher-librarian whose interest in children's literature became an obsession when my kids were young and I was able to spend a year at home with them, learning about the unprecedented growth in the number of books being published with children in mind. I had always been a reader, thanks to the example my parents set for my brother and I, and I wanted to pass on my love of reading to them. But, I wanted to share the best books I could find...and so my search began. I am still searching every day, despite the fact that they are grown and gone.